Are You Zinc Deficient?

Are You Zinc Deficient?

Zinc is an important mineral in many biological processes and a deficiency may lead to several worrying conditions. Zinc is widely distributed in foods, yet deficiency is common.

There are several reasons why you may develop a zinc deficiency.

1. A very common cause of zinc deficiency is a high sugar diet. This is because when sugar is consumed the pancreas produces insulin to initiate cells to take in the glucose to use for energy. The synthesis of insulin requires Zinc, so when sugar consumption is excessive, zinc stores are used up and dietary supply of Zinc cannot keep up.

2. Insufficient production of Hydrochloric Acid in the stomach may lead to a Zinc deficiency. In this case it is not that dietary supply is poor, but that absorption is not occurring.

3. Strict vegetarians who eat lots of grains and legumes are more susceptible to a Zinc deficiency due to grains and legumes contain high levels of phytic acid which reduces Zinc absorption.

5. Poor Thyroid function can result in Zinc deficiency because Thyroid hormones play a role in the absorption of Zinc.

Signs of Zinc deficiency include:

Slow Hair & Nail Growth

White Spots on Nails

Acne or Greasy Skin

Urticaria (Rashes / Hives)

Sense of Smell/Taste Reduced

Slow Wound Healing

Poor Immunity

Enlarged Prostate

Frequent Night-Time Urination

Low Sex Drive

Diarrhoea

Easy Scarring

Night Blindness

Thinning Hair

Food Sensitivities / Leaky Gut Syndrome

Allergies / High Histamine

If you suffer any of these deficiency signs, I do not recommend you rush out and buy a Zinc supplement, it is best absorbed with other nutrients and supplementing with Zinc alone may cause a deficiency in other important nutrients.

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